Augusta Health started off the week by releasing its latest COVID-19 update, detailing recent cases in the hospital and region-wide, as well as upcoming vaccination sites and who is available for booster shots.
The situation over the last few days is anything but linear, Augusta Health Public Relations Director Lisa Schwenk said in her update, but the hospitalremains cautiously optimistic. Here's what it faced over the weekend, and what the community should prepare for this week.
Peak to plateau
Currently, Augusta Health's community indicators, including COVID-19 prevalence, positivity rates and hospitalizations, have declined from their peak several weeks ago, the hospital reports, but there is still reason to be cautious.
"Augusta Health’s internal modeling and projections indicate we may have stabilized and plateaued," the report said. "Some of the academic projections we reference still indicate another possible surge in the next week because of a lower community vaccination rate."
Even though there is possibility for another surge in cases on the horizon, Augusta Healthsaid it's 'cautiously optimistic,' and plans to gradually re-open services in October. The fact it's planning on reopening more services is more of a reason than ever to continue preventative measures, it said.
According to the report released on Oct. 4,Augusta Health’s positivity rate is 28.2%, which is a weekly average.
The monthly positivity rate in June was 5.7% and last January was 18.57%.
The current COVID-19 patient census is 47, but the overall count is high for the hospital, coming in at 197. About 20% of the COVID-19 patients Augusta Health has are in critical care, or ICU-level patients.
According to Schwenk, two COVID-19 patients passed away within the past 24 hours. She said the census of patients fluctuates every hour.
Tests across the community
The latests report states that within the 48 hours preceding 9 a.m. on Oct. 4, there were 124 new positive COVID-19 cases diagnosed through Augusta Health Testing sites. That statistic does not include all testing sites in the community.
The hospital urges citizens to vaccinate, continue to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, wash hands and stay socially distant when possible.
Augusta Health is holdingdrive-through COVID testing at Augusta Health’s Waynesboro Urgent Care on Lew Dewitt Boulevard. It will be open until 9 pm on Monday, Oct.4 and Tuesday, Oct.5 and Friday, Oct.8.
"COVID-19 vaccinations are the still the most effective and lasting way to prevent COVID infections in our community, and the best defense against serious illness and death," the report states.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show only 51.18% of people in Augusta County are fully vaccinated, with Waynesboro at 55.68% and Staunton at 59.04%.
More:Augusta Health still predicting additional COVID surge, but more groups can now get booster shot
Booster shots and clinics
Currently, Augusta Health is vaccinating everyone age 12 and older who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for individuals age 18 and over, the hospital said, and the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals age 12 and older; a parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of those under the age of 18
Some people are now eligible for booster shots, too.
The first group, approved several weeks ago is:
- Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (no proof of a medical condition is required at this time); and who
- Have already received two doses of either the Pfizer vaccine or the Moderna vaccine; and who
- Received their second dose of vaccine more than 28 days ago.
The second approved group is:
- Those age 65 and over, or
- Those ages 18-64 with an underlying medical condition, or
- Those who live in congregate settings such as long-term care facilities or shelters, or
- Those who work in high-risk occupations, who
- Have already received two doses of PFIZER vaccine only, and who
- Received their second dose more than six months ago.
Appointments are required for all booster shots through Augusta Health and are available on their website. Those who meet criteria for the second group but received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not eligible for boosters currently.
"We anticipate the FDA and CDC will evaluate additional rounds of vaccination for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson again, and will be prepared for that approval when it is given," the report stated.
Vaccinations for COVID-19 are in all Augusta Medical Group primary care offices, and there are several clinics set up throughout the week for the community. Augusta Health said that it is also sending vaccination teams to local long-term care facilities and homeless shelters to assist with vaccinations at those sites this week. Organizations who would like to partner with the hospital for vaccination events are encouraged to contact the vaccination task force.
Here are the vaccine clinics available this week, according to Augusta Health:
Tuesday, Oct.5(THIRD-DOSE BOOSTER CLINIC) —The clinic will run from 8am until 1pm.Please verify criteria for one of the two approved populations for boosters. Pfizer booster available for both populations; Moderna booster only approved for immunocompromised population. Please bring Vaccination Record Card or record of previous vaccination.
Wednesday, Oct.6 — After school/after work clinic hours for those who are unable to come during the day. The clinic will run from 3:30 pm until 7 pm. Walk-ins welcome until 6 pm. This is a dual Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson clinic. Anyone age 12 and older may receive Pfizer vaccine; Johnson & Johnson is a one-dose vaccine available to those age 18 and older and administered if available.
Thursday, Oct.7 — After school/after work clinic hours for those are unable to come during the day. The clinic will run from 3:30 pm until 7 pm. Walk-ins welcome until 6 pm. This is a dual Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson clinic. Anyone age 12 and older may receive Pfizer vaccine; Johnson & Johnson is a one-dose vaccine available to those age 18 and older and administered if available.
Friday, Oct. 8 (THIRD-DOSE BOOSTER CLINIC) — The clinic will run from 8am until 1 pm. Please verify criteria for one of the two approved populations for boosters. Pfizer booster available for both populations; Moderna booster only approved for immunocompromised population. Please bring Vaccination Record Card or record of previous vaccination.
For all appointment scheduling, visithttps://www.augustahealth.com/vaccine.
Citizens can also call Augusta Health's vaccination call center at(540) 332-5122 if they have questions or need assistance making appointments. The Call Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8am until 4:30 pm to answer questions and help to schedule vaccination appointments.
According to the hospital, homebound patients are being vaccinated through a pilot program with Central Shenandoah EMS. Contact the Vaccination Call Center for more information.
For more information on the latest details of vaccination sites and COVID-19 data in the area, visithttps://vaccinate.augustahealth.com/.
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— Alison Cutler (she/her)is the Government Watchdog Reporter at The News Leader. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona and graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Contact Alison at acutler@newsleader.com and follow her on Twitter at @alisonjc2.
